Zenit St. Petersburg vs Lyon
Europe – Champions League
Date: Wednesday, 27 November 2019
Kick-off at 17:55 UK/ 18:55 CET
Venue: Gazprom Arena (Saint Petersburg).
Match preview
After recording four points from their opening two matches, Zenit seemed to be on track for the knockout stages, but the double-header with RB Leipzig did not work out as planned for the side's Sergei Semak.
While a narrow defeat in Germany did not come as a big surprise, Zenit failed to capitalize on home advantage in the reverse fixture when they surrendered by a 2-0 scoreline.
The results have left the Russian giant with it all to do heading into the final two games, though Bush will take some comfort from his side responded with two consecutive victories on the domestic front.
narrow wins have been registered in the respective Arsenal Tula and Rubin Kazan, the success of which has left Zenit sit five points clear at the top of the top flight.
As for Lyon, they seem to have finally settled under Rudi Garcia, who had watched his new team claim four wins from their last five matches in all competitions.
Taking maximum points in Ligue 1 against Metz, Toulouse and Nice have moved Lyon to ninth place in the table, just three points adrift of fourth spot.
Another victory came against Benfica in front of their own fans, and that applies in that the European meeting had put the French outfit a more positive outcome is far from reaching 16.
Contributions from Memphis Depay and Moussa Dembele has proved key, with the pair scored eight times between them over the last five games.
TEAM NEWS
ZENITH
Back-to-back defeats have left Zenit need to avoid defeat here to keep hope alive their qualification into the final round of fixtures.
Yuri Zhirkov duo left side and Oleg Shatov will be assessed after missing Saturday league match against Rubin Kazan, while first-choice goalkeeper Andrey Lunev remains in doubt.
There may not be many changes from the side that started in Kazan Sardar Azmoun and Artem Dyzuba set to continue as the front two have both scored.
Predicted line-up (4-4-2): Kerzhakov; Karavaev, Ivanovic, Rakitskiy, Douglas Santos; Kuzyaev, Ozdoev, Barrios, Driussi; Dyzuba, Azmoun
Not available: Mammana (Injured), Malcom (Injured)
Doubtful: Zhirkov (Injured), Shatov (Hurt), Lunev (Injured)
LYON
After a poor start to the season, Lyon forms have been improved under Rudi Garcia with four wins in their last five games in all competitions.
Memphis Depay star man is struggling with a thigh problem and missed repeatedly win Saturday over the good, so in the form of Moussa Dembele may start as a lone striker again.
Midfielder houssem Aouar is the only definite absentee for Lyon so that Garcia might name an unchanged starting line-up despite his team did not face a hectic schedule over the coming weeks.
Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Lopes; Dubois, Andersen, Denayer, Kone; Thiago Mendes, Tousart; Traore, Reine-Adelaide, Terrier; Dembele
Not available: Aouar (Injured)
Doubtful: Depay (Injured)
Prediction
Zenit were in third and three points behind Lyon ahead of their meeting on Wednesday. Defeat for the home side would eliminate them from the competition.
Zenit have only lost one of their last 10 games at home in all competitions but it was the last time in front of their own supporters for RB Leipzig.
Lyon has been poor on the road this season with just two more wins to their name. French side have lost three of their last four on the road.
Given Lyon distant days of struggle, coupled with good facts and houssem Memphis Depay Aouar could be lost to the far side, Zenit will kick themselves if they do not do at least encourage the qualification to the final match.
Prediction: Zenit St Petersburg 1 1 Lyon
